Stark Bro’s trees have been true to name. They’ve been small, and I don’t know if they specify the rootstock with anything more than “semi-dwarf,” but they’re consistent with basic varieties. On ‘this side’ of the Rockies, they ‘ship late’ to avoid the stock freezing over the divide …or at least that’s what I remember.

Locally; if it’s a basic variety, like Golden Delicious, I’ll trust a local retail nursery to get it right. And if I don’t care what the rootstock is, same thing. Portland Nursery’s OK, though expensive and not that well stocked beyond the basics.

For anything I plan to fall in love with, I trust only One Green World and Raintree Nurseries. I especially appreciate Jim Gilbert of O-G-W, a longtime HOS member, I still remember his inspirational presentation on Hardy and Fuzzy kiwi, Persimmons, and Figs -- thus … I’ve an orchard full! So I shop there first, and Raintree second.

When I mention purchasing ‘basic trees,’ I mean the times I’ve bought a couple well branched Yellow Delicious in a bag ($10), then grafted various varieties on (usually 3) for friends. They love it … I’ll mention I’m going to the HOS ‘Scion Exchange’ and tell them I’ll pick out some compatible ‘good ones,’ Yellow Del becomes the pollinator, they insist on reimbursing me – and everyone’s happy

…but like I said, for myself, OGW or Raintree. I’ve many a Stark Bro’s tree … but after finally getting off their mailing list… I'm tempted to stay clear

Iowa actually used to be one of the nations top apple producers, but then farmers realized that corn paid much better and most of the orchards along with any wetlands, fence rows, and timber got turned into corn fields.

I will give those other ones a try, I usually try to add at least a dozen new trees a year.

Our ‘Willamette Valley’ and ‘temperate rainforest’ conditions appear to be growing central …for about everything. I asked during a nursery tour why, for example, a local nursery is growing fruit trees for ‘South Dakota?’ He said we’ve such a long growing season they can get a good month more on either side as compared to SD and surrounding states. He also said we’ve such mild winters there’s very little loss. And though we’re known for ‘constant rain,’ our summers are very dry, often prone to drought conditions when compared to the nation. But, if they’ve dammed up a small canyon or dug a big enough irrigation pond and can pour the water to their stock, and most do, it's growth central

My assumption is ‘back East’ you’ve got such humidity compared to us (our humidity is rain, with very pleasant summers) that it adversely effects fruit trees. Also, it seems every predatory pest introduced seems to hit the East Coast first, often never making it ‘this far.’ As for our local apple production, most of that’s moved to central Washington (state) or California, it’s weird. I don’t know of any commercial apple orchards around me … though I suspect they’ve been replanted to wine vineyards… And, believe it or not, thousands of our acres have been turned into gravel packed commercial container nurseries, with hardly a ‘Ma & Pa’ set up around. These are Big Boys!

Yah, I’ve thought of Iowa as one of the richest farming communities in the US. I’ve relatives in southern Illinois, last time I was there it was soy beans, corn and hogs to every horizon … with humidity like this Orygun Native had never experienced. Great bacon, watermelons and midnight softball …but I’m still glad to be home.

Sounds like you’ve an ambitious project, how many trees do you have? …and what do you plan to do with all that produce? I had some happy well-fed deer last fall/ winter …though that had never been my intension, just too many fruit trees and too little time

My favorite mail order nurseries are Raintree (raintreenursery.com) and Burnt Ridge Nursery (burntridgenursery.com). Raintree has already been mentioned, it is a family-owned business with excellent quality trees. Be sure to order their free paper catalog (800 391-8892), because it's a goldmine of information about fruit trees, berries and nut trees, with color photos, pollination charts, grafting info and grafting supplies. Burnt Ridge is out of Washington state, too, and they also carry a wide selection of trees and nursery stock. Their free catalog can be ordered by phone: (360) 985-2873. They have a list of plants for extremely cold climates and their prices are usually a bit cheaper than Raintree. Good luck!

Fri May 23, 2014 11:22 am

John S

Joined: Sun May 15, 2005 10:57 amPosts: 1406Location: Portland, OR

Re: Who are your preferred livestock suppliers?

I agree with Peachman and Viron: Burnt Ridge, One Green World, Raintree, for me in that order.John SPDX OR

Sat May 24, 2014 10:09 pm

xroads

Joined: Sat Apr 24, 2010 5:31 amPosts: 14

Re: Who are your preferred livestock suppliers?

Thanks

Right now we have about 30 various fruit trees, a few dozen blue berries & grapes, and a large garden

We usually eat alot, can alot, and give the rest away to friends & family.

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